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Does the model number of an iPhone 4S determines its unlock status?

A

apollo1444

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Jul 22, 2011
1,329
27
mexico
pretty much tittle thread...

does anyone know if the model number of the iPhone 4S determines weather or not the device is locked to a carrier or if this one is unlocked?
 
If you bought it from the apple store, it's more likely to be unlocked. Have you opened it? Usually, an unlocked phone will have a pop up message in itunes when plugged in.
 
Yes model number does determine its status.

Part numbers starting with MC..are carrier included
PArt number starting with MD...are factory unlocked.
 
To the original OP, the answer is yes and no. If you purchased your Iphone 4 or 4S from Apple "Device Only" then then your phone will be unlocked forever.

I purchased an AT&T Iphone 4S and it was unlocked when I paid for it full price without a contract.

In the U.S. if you go to a cellular carrier and purchase your phone it will be locked even if you pay full price. Only Apple was unlocking them when purchased "Device Only."

I do not what the story is in other countries. They go on a case by case basis.
 
The model number doesn't really refer to a locked or unlocked phone. You can buy an iPhone locked and then the carrier may offer an unlocking policy.
 
eastercat said:
If you bought it from the apple store, it's more likely to be unlocked. Have you opened it? Usually, an unlocked phone will have a pop up message in itunes when plugged in.
Click to expand...

No, a factory unlocked iPhone won't have this message. You get this message only if the model is locked and Apple unlocked it for you. Either by paying full price or the request of the carrier.

iPhone Warrior said:
The model number doesn't really refer to a locked or unlocked phone. You can buy an iPhone locked and then the carrier may offer an unlocking policy.
Click to expand...

Not totally true. You can know if an iPhone is factory unlocked by its model number. However, an iPhone with a specific carrier model number may be locked or unlocked.
 
correction to earlier post

USA FACTORY UNLK
MD234LL/A-16blk
MD237LL/A-16w

MD241LL/A-32blk
MD244LL/a-32w

MD2257LL/a-64blk
MD260LL/a-64w

AT&T
MC918../.-16b
MC920../.-16w

MC919../.-32b
MC921../.-32w

MD-269../.-64b
MD-271../.-64w

Verizon
MD-276../.-16b
MD-277../.-16w

MD-278../.-32b
MD-279../.-32w

MD-280../.-64
MD-281../.-64w

Sprint

MD-377../.-16b
MD-378../.-16w

MD-379../.-32b
MD-380../.-32w

MD-381../.-64b
MD-382../.-64w

Clarification the ../. LL/A- refers to Country code(LL)
C/A- canada
LL/A-USA
ZA/A-Singapore
ZP/A-Hong Kong
 
Hexiii said:
Well, but it wasn't before. It was jailbroken and after I installed the iOS5, there were some problems. But I need to be 100% sure. Where can I find the parts number?
Click to expand...

My guess is it may be software unlocked using redsn0w, not officially unlocked. You lost the unlock after upgrading to iOS5. The part number is on the back of your iPhone.
 
Beenblacklisted said:
Part numbers starting with MC..are carrier included
PArt number starting with MD...are factory unlocked.
Click to expand...

sorry but that is not true I have a 32GB old iPhone 4 and it starts with MC and I bought it on the online apple store and it is factory unlocked...


this 4S I have I didn't bought it at apple.com.mx nor a carrier store... just a regular store... however if I type my model number on google... which is MD244E/A I'm going to get the mexican apple store link that says it's a white 32gb model and its factory unlocked... I would also get chinesse sites that say this is a mexican model

the thing I do not know is if its unlocked or not... haven't seen subsidised ones models yet
 
Last edited:
I had to get my fully unlocked blk 64 gb iPhone 4s replaced by Genius Bar. Replacement unit for this size is MD270LL They told me basic it not a refurb but all there service units now have designated model number
 
Lock status and model number can be correlated, but it's not a sure-fire way of checking. Warranty replacements often have different part numbers. The activation status is transferred from the old phone to the new one -regardless of the model number. This is why we sometimes get oddball things like a UK model phone locked to AT&T (once apple allowed iPhones to be serviced internationally)

FWIW, I had my 4S replaced at the Genius bar. Original model was an AT&T locked 64GB black (MD269LL). The replacement phone is an MD257LL, but it's still locked to AT&T, despite having an unlocked part number (I actually did try a t-mobile SIM).
 
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